Chats from the Blog Cabin

In this heartfelt podcast episode, I reflect on the Super Bowl halftime show and the conversations that followed — especially the discomfort some expressed when a message of love came from a brown voice and in another language. I ask the honest question: Are we rejecting the message of love because of who delivers it?

From a brief history lesson about the land we live on to my personal experiences being married to an immigrant and r...

In this episode of the Chats from the Blog Cabin podcast, host Melissa welcomes Bethany, an attorney and author of "The FemTech Revolution," to discuss the critical topic of women's health innovations and the role of femtech in addressing long-overlooked health issues. They explore how femtech is revolutionizing women's healthcare, from cycle tracking to menopause management, while also addressing the potential dr...

n this episode of 'Chats from the Blog Cabin,' host Melissa speaks with Dr. Alicia Lamborghini-West, a psychologist and co-author of 'Tipsy: A Woman's Self-Guided Method for Managing Alcohol.' They discuss the social pressures women face regarding alcohol consumption, the unique aspects of feminine drinking culture, and the emotional connections women have with alcohol. Dr. Alicia shares insights from her book, ...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Mark discusses his journey from corporate America to writing 'The Wellness Ethic.' He shares valuable lessons learned about change adoption, the importance of a wellness ethic, and how to shift from a negative to a positive mindset. Mark emphasizes the significance of family, well-being, and the mindset required to navigate life's challenges. He also reads a passage from his...

In this heartfelt episode, I share why the name Karen still matters deeply to me—and why it always will. While the world has turned the name into a punchline, I remember the Karen I knew: my sister. The kindest, funniest, most gentle soul I’ve ever loved.

Thirty years ago, cancer took her from us far too soon. She never met her nieces. She never had children of her own. But she left behind something cancer could never touch—love, la...

Some Christmas traditions stay with us long after the season ends.

In this special holiday episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa reflects on why White Christmas became her favorite Christmas movie—and how watching it with her dad created memories that still hold her heart today. Through faith, nostalgia, and gentle storytelling, she shares how God meets us in ordinary moments and uses memories to bring comfort, connection, a...

In this delightfully honest and faith-filled episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa shares the unexpected moment when her Alexa device became an accidental messenger of grace. After a flustered morning and a frustrated remark, Alexa responded with a line that stopped Melissa in her tracks: “I’m not stupid… I’m just charm­ingly challenged.”

What begins as a funny tech mishap quickly turns into a heart-tugging conversation abou...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa sits down with author Dianne Parrish, creator of Something Better, to explore one of the most relatable parts of being human: the persistent longing for “more.” Why do we admire what others have while overlooking the value in our own lives? And what would happen if we slowed down long enough to really notice what’s already here?

Together, Melissa and Dianne reflect on the tension...

In this week’s intro episode, we’re leaning into a topic that touches every single one of us: the quiet — and sometimes loud — longing for something better. Whether it’s a better job, a bigger house, more time, more peace, or even a “better” version of ourselves, our culture has conditioned us to believe happiness is always just one step ahead of where we are.

But if we’re always chasing the next thing… when do we ever get to rest?

T...

In this episode, Melissa opens up a conversation about The Awful Cupboard—the place where we store the things we don’t need anymore, but aren’t quite ready to release. Sometimes it’s a literal closet or drawer. Sometimes it’s an old belief, a past identity, or a dream we tucked away because life shifted.

Together, we explore how to gently look inside that space without judgment, shame, or pressure. Instead of seeing the cupboard as ...

In this heartfelt episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa Vera sits down with Dennis, a dedicated mentor from Big Brothers Big Sisters, to explore the transformative power of mentorship, compassion, and showing up for others. Through honest conversation and moving stories—especially his relationship with his mentee Mike, who faced mental health struggles—Dennis reveals how mentorship changes lives on both sides.

Together,...

Keywords

volunteering, community service, Big Brother Big Sister, personal growth, mentorship, kindness, support, family, education, social impact

Summary

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera discusses the importance of volunteering and shares her personal experiences with it. She emphasizes how volunteering can change lives, both for the volunteers and those they help. The conversation highlights...

n this heartfelt episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa reflects on the powerful truth found in the quote:
“The grace of God means something like—here is your life. You might never have been, but you are, because the party wouldn’t be complete without you.”

She opens up about how that same grace shows up every week through the stories shared by her incredible guests and the listeners who faithfully tune in. From moments of...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa speaks with Terry, a cancer survivor, author, and speaker, about his journey of resilience. Terry shares his life-changing experience with a rare form of cancer at a young age and how he rebuilt his life through gratitude, support, and a positive mindset. They discuss the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences, the framework for building resilience, and ...

In this heart-to-heart episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera reminds us that sometimes, the biggest shift we can make isn’t in our circumstances—it’s in our perspective. Instead of focusing on what’s missing or what went wrong, Melissa invites listeners to slow down and recognize the blessings already in front of them. Through honest reflection and southern charm, she shares how choosing gratitude over lack can bring p...

Have you ever talked yourself out of showing up because that little voice whispered, “You don’t belong here”? In this vulnerable episode, Melissa opens up about missing a conference — not because of time or travel, but because old feelings of unworthiness crept back in. From the quiet of the Blog Cabin, she reflects on how belonging isn’t about being invited in; it’s about choosing to believe that you already belong, right where yo...

Keywords

mentorship, mentor project, generativity, coaching, vulnerability, lateral mentoring, peer mentoring, reverse mentoring, personal growth, personal development

Summary

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Dr. Deborah Heiser discusses the concept of mentorship, its importance, and the various forms it can take. She emphasizes the intrinsic motivation behind mentorship, differentiating it from coaching a...